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Durant fires city clerk

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By Jennifer Meyer | Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |

DURANT, Iowa — The Durant City Council voted Tuesday to immediately terminate the employment of city clerk Carla Graves, who was suspended April 9.

The council unanimously approved the decision, with one abstention, after meeting in closed session for almost 1½ hours. No reason was given publicly for Graves’ termination, but City Attorney Gerald Denning said “after extensive investigation, the City Council lost confidence in the city clerk.”

City officials said they couldn’t discuss specifics of the decision because it dealt with a personnel matter.

City Administrator Greg LaFond said last month that a committee, including himself, Denning and two council members, had been formed to investigate Graves. The committee shared the findings with the council on Tuesday.

Upon reconvening in open session, Denning said the council had three options: take no action, discipline Graves, or terminate her employment. Mayor Richard Harmsen said, “I think we need to go in a different direction.”

After more than a minute of silence, council member Bill Miller made a motion to terminate the city clerk, effective immediately. Dean Maiers seconded the motion.

Graves was not present for the council’s decision. She left about 10 minutes earlier with attorney Robert S. Gallagher of Davenport.

“We’re prepared to be to work at 8:30 in the morning like we always have been,” Gallagher said.

Denning said Graves will receive a letter by certified mail outlining the reasons for her termination. She will have 30 days to appeal by requesting a public hearing. Graves was hired in July 1999 and was working 40 hours a week and was paid $18.72 per hour.

Jennifer Meyer can be contacted at (563) 262-0525 or jennifer.meyer@muscatinejournal.com.